Will the repentance of a young man be accepted who practices sodomy despite his repeated repentance, marriage, and travel, and fears contracting sexually transmitted diseases? And will his repentance be accepted if he contracts AIDS, given his intention to go for Hajj?

The abomination of sodomy is a grave sin and one of the major transgressions. Indeed, it may be considered greater than murder by some scholars, and its perpetrator's punishment is among the severest.

One must hasten to repent to Allah, regret what has passed, and firmly resolve not to return to this abomination. Allah accepts the repentance of His servant, no matter how great their sin, as stated in His Almighty saying: "Do they not know that Allah is He who accepts repentance from His servants and receives charities and that Allah is He who is the Accepter of repentance, the Merciful?" And His saying: "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'" Moreover, He replaces evil deeds with good deeds for those who repent, believe, and do righteous deeds, as in His Almighty saying: "Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them, Allah will change their evil deeds into good ones. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful."

There is no difference between the repentance of one afflicted with AIDS and others. If repentance fulfills its conditions, it is accepted. Performing the obligation of Hajj is a means of expiating sins, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever performs Hajj to this House and does not commit Rafath (obscene acts) or Fusooq (disobedience to Allah), will return [as sinless] as he was on the day his mother gave birth to him."